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Load planner vs driver supervisor

The differences between load planners and driver supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a load planner and a driver supervisor. Additionally, a load planner has an average salary of $40,526, which is higher than the $38,495 average annual salary of a driver supervisor.

The top three skills for a load planner include logistics, hub and DOT. The most important skills for a driver supervisor are customer service, DOT, and CDL.

Load planner vs driver supervisor overview

Load PlannerDriver Supervisor
Yearly salary$40,526$38,495
Hourly rate$19.48$18.51
Growth rate28%4%
Number of jobs16,050214,993
Job satisfaction1-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a load planner do?

Load Planners are responsible for optimizing and streamlining the process of freight transportation. Their duties include creating profitable network transport strategies involving routing, optimization, and load planning, implementing system parameters, attending to client's emails and calls, and executing corrective action. They are responsible for tracking pick-up and delivery time, participate in carrier negotiation, and carrying out shipment expeditions. Load Planners also produce service reports, chair meetings, and facilitate automation initiatives. They conduct carrier escalation, reports approval, and lead cross-training sessions to improve operational competency.

What does a driver supervisor do?

Driver supervisors are professionals who are responsible for supervising all activities that are related to the operation of motor vehicles that transport materials for logistics companies. These supervisors are required to select and orient drivers about their roles and ensure that they are following the guidelines provided by the Department of Transportation (DOT). They must regularly audit delivery routes with their drivers so that they can achieve safe and efficient deliveries. Driver supervisors must also conduct investigations for those drivers involved in vehicular accidents.

Load planner vs driver supervisor salary

Load planners and driver supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Load PlannerDriver Supervisor
Average salary$40,526$38,495
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $60,000Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City-Everett, WA
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-American Refining Group
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between load planner and driver supervisor education

There are a few differences between a load planner and a driver supervisor in terms of educational background:

Load PlannerDriver Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Load planner vs driver supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between load planners' and driver supervisors' demographics:

Load PlannerDriver Supervisor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 63.9% Female, 36.1%Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between load planner and driver supervisor duties and responsibilities

Load planner example responsibilities.

  • Partner with planner to manage inventory levels to meet turnover and open-to-buy objectives.
  • Charge with managing contracts for non-emergency and emergency transportation of Medicaid and Medicare members.
  • Create new part numbers, BOM's and routings for all new hinges.
  • Enter load information into TMW system.
  • Follow procedures according to FAA and OSHA standards.
  • Upgrade as foreman and run 5 man crews.
  • Show more

Driver supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Direct employees in identifying and correcting any unsafe conditions, eliminate avoidable accidents and improve department performance manage KPI's.
  • Answer telephones, run errands and assist in customer service when need.
  • Receive and input all customer orders into TMW, via telephone, fax or email.
  • Develop and implement DSD item level POGs.
  • Enter orders as needed for broker loads in TMW software.
  • Oversee order purchasing for all DSD stores within the region.
  • Show more

Load planner vs driver supervisor skills

Common load planner skills
  • Logistics, 13%
  • Hub, 11%
  • DOT, 8%
  • Safety Regulations, 5%
  • Freight Loads, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 5%
Common driver supervisor skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • DOT, 15%
  • CDL, 12%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
  • Workgroup, 4%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 4%

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